Evidence

What is evidence?

Evidence is the information you gather and provide to a Northern Sydney Institute assessor to demonstrate that you have the skills and knowledge required to gain recognition.

The evidence you provide will be checked by the NSI assessor to ensure it is valid and authentic. Evidence provided needs to map to the unit(s) of competency. It is quality of evidence that counts, not quantity.

You need to ensure that:

the evidence you provide covers the critical aspects and that it is sufficient

Types of evidence

The evidence used in a recognition application can include anything that will demonstrate that you meet the learning outcomes of a unit. Evidence can include any combination of the following:

Portfolio

job description

performance management report or annual reviews

minutes of meetings attended or conducted

work examples that may include reports, articles or samples of work

publications

email or memo communication with clients or colleagues

Audiovisual

videos

audio files

CDs to demonstrate communication, customer service or work skills

Certificates or course transcripts

Formal and informal qualifications including:

certificates

diplomas

degrees

statements of results

courses completed at work

Life experience

community group involvement

hobbies

leisure pursuits

membership of a committee

Letters and references

Letters of validation from your employers, clients, community groups or people you have worked with.

Resume or work history – needs to be supported by examples

Provide contact details, as some references may require a follow-up phone call

About evidence

Currency of evidence

You must be able to present evidence that your skills and knowledge are current. At the meeting with the assessor, you may be asked questions relating to your current knowledge of the skills you have previously acquired, to ensure that you are still competent.

Verification of evidence

Any copies of original qualifications, certificates or documents you submit must be certified by a justice of the peace (JP). Alternatively, the NSI assessor can view the original document and write a certification on the copy.

Before you submit your evidence:

make sure you have included certified copies of your documents ( do not submit original documents as they may not be returned; however, originals may need to be sighted )

ensure that you have presented your evidence in a way that shows how your experience, skills and knowledge match the learning outcomes

be selective and disciplined about your choice of evidence

organise your material logically, format it clearly, and present it in plain English.

Applicants should note that:

the assessor may request an interview with you if details of the evidence need to be clarified

you may be required to complete a challenge activity so that you can demonstrate your skills and knowledge

the assessor may contact relevant authorities to check the authenticity of documents you submit as evidence.

What to do next?

You need to make an appointment to meet with an NSI assessor, and bring along:

your completed portfolio report (Applying for Recognition Report)

your completed Evidence Portfolio form (a form that identifies your evidence and links it to matched competencies)